Saturday night in Atlanta at the Star Bar, come check out the blossoming punk puerility encapsulated by Knife and the 4th Ward Daggers as they blast open another blurry good time and spread their contagious lo-fi hits across the great state of Georgia. Fronted by the snotty yet charming snarl of Knife (curator of the Atlanta DIY space Neutron Bomb a few years back, and previously of Knife and the Stabs), the band hearkens back to the innocent revelry of The Lids in its Supercharger-esque simplicity, and lays down Radio-X style party anthems with the same ease as the masters of the craft themselves. Although they've only been tooling around for a few months, the feel you get from the three songs they have up HERE gives off the carefree vibe of three kids having a good time playing punk music with no serious intentions for stardom, and that's always a sign of being in the right mindset. With the momentum quickly accelerating for bands tied into Atlanta's fertile underground, it's an act of true inspiration that lead singer/guitarist, Knife is starting up a lathe-cut record label called Kremesickill Records right at the moment, aimed directly at the unprotected groin of the drooling record collector sect (micro editions of 25 anyone?) as the first imprint to release their debut 45 single in the near future. Hopefully the debut record will include their runaway future hit "I'm A Criminal," which should inevitably ensure a lifetime store discount at Criminal Records in Atlanta, or at least an affectionate stamp of hometown approval. And if that isn't enough, there's also a Bobby & The Soft Spots (with BJ from The Lids and The Gaye Blades) debut 45 in the works that should be as bold and shameless as showing up with a fresh hickey at a family reunion.
With nothing to lose and way too much fun to be had, Knife and the 4th Ward Daggers are crafting some of the most underexposed and instantly likable punk music festering under the surface in Atlanta's inner circles, and you, our dear readers, shouldn't be shielded from their invigorating enthusiasm any longer than necessary. Check them out first on the bill Saturday night, followed by mod-pop locals, the Lizardmen, and don't miss their encore performance next weekend, opening up the show for Gentleman Jesse And His Men, unrestrained, and in full stride right back at the Star Bar for another walloping dose of unpolished and staggering rock'n roll with all the right pop intentions.
